
Ohio State led, 33–0, at halftime in the one-sided contest. 2) easily defeated Minnesota, 47–0, before the largest crowd (87,916) in Ohio Stadium history. 2 in the AP Poll as Alabama took over the No. After the close game with Syracuse, Ohio State dropped to No. Ohio State's quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate, Art Schlichter, threw two interceptions in the first half, and then led the Buckeyes to a 22-point comeback in the second half. Despite being a 27-point underdog, Syracuse led, 21–9, at halftime. 1) opened its season with a 31–21 victory over Syracuse at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. OSU – Doug Donley – 2 receptions, 58 yards, TD.SYR – Tony Sidor – 7 receptions, 74 yards, TD.OSU – Calvin Murray – 18 rushes, 117 yards.



Art Schlichter ranked second in the Big Ten with a 139.7 passing efficiency rating, 8.5 yards per pass attempt, and 22 total touchdowns, and third with 1,930 passing yards, a 54.0 pass completion percentage, and 2,255 total yards.

Doug Donley led the Big Ten with 20.6 yard per reception and ranked fifth with 887 receiving yards.Vlade Janakievski led the Big Ten with 90 points scored and 45 extra points made, and ranked second with 15 field goals made and a 68.2 field goal percentage.Calvin Murray led the Big Ten with 1,267 rushing yards, 1,471 yards from scrimmage, and 6.5 yards per rushing attempt.Several Ohio State players also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in various statistical categories, including the following: The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Art Schlichter with 1,930 passing yards, running back Calvin Murray with 1,267 rushing yards, wide receiver Doug Donley with 887 receiving yards, and placekicker Vlade Janakievski with 90 points scored. The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. 15 in the final AP Poll, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 387 to 181. They finished in a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten), compiled a 9–3 (7–1 against Big Ten opponents), lost to Penn State in the 1980 Fiesta Bowl, were ranked No. In their second season under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes began the season ranked No. The 1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented Ohio State University during the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season.
